The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance was 275,750 last week, down 1,250 from the previous week’s unrevised average, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the US Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Jan. 2 were 277,000, down 10,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level.

No special factors affected this week’s initial claims.

Bloomberg reported claims fell in line with the 275,000 median forecast in its survey of economists.

Separately, economic activity in the US non-manufacturing sector grew in December but at a slower rate than November, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index that was released Wednesday. ISM’s non-manufacturing index fell in December to a reading of 55.3 from October’s reading of 55.9. Readings above 50 indicate growth, but MarketWatch reports December’s reading is the lowest level since April 2014. However, the employment portion of the index rose to a reading of 55.7 in December from November’s reading of 55.0.